Systems and methods for static half-duplex spectrum allocation on a duplex band

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to disabling sounding, resource-block allocation, and various full-duplex (FDX) capabilities in a portion of a spectrum used in FDX-enabled cable networks. The disclosure further describes dynamically using an upstream mode or a downstream mode of communication for half-duplex communication in the portion of the spectrum originally designated for FDX communication, for a given time interval. In another embodiment, the disclosure can thereby facilitate an increase in upstream or downstream capacity on the cable network, for example, a fifteen-fold increase in the upstream capacity or downstream capacity. In some embodiments, control messages can be transmitted from a controller node to devices on the network periodically, describing the usage of the FDX portion of the spectrum for upstream or downstream transmission. The control messages can include medium access control (MAC) management messages and/or tag-length-value (TLV) messages.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device comprising memory and processing circuitry, the device configured to:
 send a message to a group of receiving devices, the message indicating a first frequency band for receiving a first downstream communication from the device, and the message further indicating a second frequency band for: 
 (i) a first directional communication between the device and a first device of the group of receiving devices over a first time interval, wherein the first directional communication is either a first upstream communication or a second downstream communication, or 
 (ii) a second directional communication between the first device and a second device of the group of receiving devices over a second time interval, wherein the second directional communication is either a second upstream communication or a third downstream communication, 
 and 
 wherein the message further comprises instructions to disable sounding and resource block allocation in the second frequency band. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the group of receiving devices comprises devices configured to communicate in a half-duplex mode of communication in the second frequency band. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the message comprises a type-length-value (TLV) message. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first frequency band includes a start frequency of approximately 258 MHz, and an end frequency of approximately 1218 MHz. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second frequency band includes a start frequency of approximately 108 MHz, and an end frequency of approximately 204 MHz. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first upstream communication comprises a first unicast transmission, and the second upstream communication comprises a second unicast transmission. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the message comprises a multicast transmission. 
     
     
       8. A device comprising memory and processing circuitry, the device configured to:
 receive a message from a first device, the message indicating a first frequency band for receiving a first downstream communication from the first device, and the message further indicating a second frequency band for: 
 (i) a first directional communication between the device and the first device over a first time interval, wherein the first directional communication is either a first upstream communication or a second downstream communication, or 
 (ii) a second directional communication between the device and a second device of a group of receiving devices over a second time interval, wherein the group of receiving devices comprises the device, and the second directional communication is either a second upstream communication or a third downstream communication, 
 wherein the message further comprises instructions to disable sounding and resource block allocation in the second frequency band. 
 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first device includes a headend device. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the second device includes a cable modem. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device is configured to communicate in a half-duplex mode of communication in the second frequency band. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the message comprises a type-length-value (TLV) message. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first frequency band includes a start frequency of approximately 258 MHz, and an end frequency of approximately 1218 MHz. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the second frequency band includes a start frequency of approximately 108 MHz, and an end frequency of approximately 204 MHz. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first upstream communication comprises a first unicast transmission, and the second upstream communication comprises a second unicast transmission. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the message comprises a multicast transmission. 
     
     
       17. A system comprising:
 a device comprising memory and processing circuitry; and 
 a group of receiving devices comprising memory and processing circuitry; 
 wherein the device is configured to:
 send a message to the group of receiving devices, the message indicating a first frequency band for receiving a first downstream communication from the device and the message further indicating a second frequency band for: 
 (i) a first directional communication between the device and a first device of the group of receiving devices over a first time interval, wherein the first directional communication is either a first upstream communication or a second downstream communication, or 
 (ii) a second directional communication between the first device and a second device of the group of receiving devices over a second time interval, wherein the second directional communication is either a second upstream communication or a third downstream communication, 
 wherein the message further comprises instructions to disable sounding and resource block allocation in the second frequency band. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the group of receiving devices comprises devices configured to communicate in a half-duplex mode of communication in the second frequency band. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the message comprises a type-length-value (TLV) message. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first frequency band includes a start frequency of approximately 258 MHz, and an end frequency of approximately 1218 MHz. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the second frequency band includes a start frequency of approximately 108 MHz, and an end frequency of approximately 204 MHz.